BRIAN GILES HALL OF FAME SPEECH
Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Brian Giles:
Born Brian Stephen Giles, in El Cajon, CA. Brother of Marcus Giles
Ohio Valley Buckeyes 1997-1998; Canton Indians 1998-1999; Kentucky Head Hunters 2000-2007 & 2010; Buffalo Braves 2008; Yonge Street Stalkers 2009
Played fourteen years for 5 teams, beginning with the Ohio Valley Buckeyes. Had two stints with the Kentucky Head Hunters, for whom he made seven playoff appearances and four All-Star game appearances.
Career stats: .915 OPS, .289 batting average, 1164 runs, 1853 hits, 313 home runs, 1164 RBI, 429 doubles, 52 triples & 105 Stolen Bases.
Combining power with a keen batting eye, discipline, and knowledge of the strike zone, Giles amassed 12 seasons in which he walked more than he struck out.
From 2000 to 2003 while playing for the Kentucky Head Hunters Giles was a model of consistent productivity, as he hit .330 or better in three of those four seasons. Had seven 20-HR seasons, and hit 36 or more homers in four (2000 – 2003) while topping 51 in 2002. Those four seasons also saw him compile OPS numbers above 1.000. He also plated over 141+ RBIs in all four of those seasons, tallying a whopping total of 576 RBIs. He was an All-Star in all four of those years in the Mid-Summer Classic.
But Brian saved his best for the biggest stage. In the 2002 World Series, he led his team to the Championship and took home the World Series Most Valuable Player Award with an astonishing 1.349 OPS, a .304 BA, seven hits, seven runs, 12 RBI, four HRs, and four walks.
It is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce the newest member of the MWBL Hall of Fame, Brian Giles.
Brian Giles Speech:
Thank you, Mr. Commissioner, and thank you to the other dignitaries on this stage, as well as my fellow inductees. This league couldn’t exist without the amazing contributions of Stacy Corrado and Steven Cornfield. I am honored to share this day with them.
This honor is indeed the result of a team effort. My parents, Bill and Monica Giles, always supported me and my brother Marcus in pursuing our big-league dreams. Taking us to practice and games, even throwing BP. My mom, and my sisters Kami and Brandi would even shag for those BP sessions!
I’d also like to thank my teammates, especially with Kentucky, where we worked together to get to the postseason so often. Winning in 2002, and being able to directly contribute to that championship, is the highlight, and proudest moment, of my career. I must thank owner Brian Scantland for bringing me to the team and giving me the opportunity to fulfill my postseason dreams. I also appreciate that he brought me back to finish my career where I had my greatest success.
The beginning of my journey occurred with the Ohio Valley Buckeyes, and I want to thank owner Darwin Campbell for drafting me. I learned a lot in those first couple of years that served me well throughout my career. Although my last few seasons weren’t what I wanted them to be because of injuries, I gave my best and always respected the game, and I hope Wally Walczak of the Buffalo Braves and Scott Farquharson of the Yonge Street Stalkers know how much I appreciated being given the chance to contribute and continue my career.
People will sometimes ask what I’m most proud of, and I obviously think of the postseason success first, but I hope people remember that I was a tough at-bat who hated to strike out and could be counted on in the clutch.
Thank you again for this great honor!